The MiG Design Bureau is known for some of the most potent and simplest fighter aircraft. But the one that has soldiered on for so many decades, and is still being used in some countries as their front-line fighter, is the outstanding MiG-21. The MiG-21 is a delta-winged aircraft with a tail. It is relatively light, sports a large afterburning jet engine, and packs its punch in the form of large-bore cannon. It can also be equipped with rocket pods, air-to-air missiles, bombs or drop tanks. A few of the single-seat fighters and the two-seat trainers have made it to the US. They can be found at surprisingly low prices, but feeding and insuring one is a different story. As the saying goes, "You can pay now, or pay later." Rest assured that, when operating this category of aircraft, you will be paying for it--but you have to determine for yourself whether it's worth it. Um, yeah, I'd like to have one. Because of their longevity, the volume of information of the type is daunting. So are the variations. There's the one with completely swept wings that was a test-bed. Or numerous Tiger Meet paint schemes. Or the one with a complex "snowflake" camouflage. Or the red-and-white checkerboard MiG flying in Croatia. Or . . . . The November LOOTM--the MiG-21. Enjoy.
| Bulgarian MiG in full afterburner. The gear has almost completed the retraction cycle and the flaps are still in the take-off position. |  | Romanian MiG-21s with drop tanks. Very attractive schemes, a mix of low-visibility and European camouflage. |  | The "front office" of an earlier model--"steam gauges" and quite busy. |  | And a more modern version that rivals the MiG-29 with a pair of MFDs and a more efficient lay-out. |  | The two-seat trainer version. Note the longer nose profile and the smaller inlet.
The last LOOTM of 2010 is the Pasped Skylark. "The what?" you might ask. Well, there was one built. Power by a 125HP radial engine, this interesting and attractive two-seater boasted the look of its era--round cowling, big wheel pants, wire bracing, and engaging lines. The LOOTM for December--the Pasped Skylark. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays! | 
| This photo show the size of the aircraft and the tall tail and large wheel fairings pants to good advantage. The Wiki article is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasped_Skylark | 
| A very nice in-flight shot showing the underside bracing. Pretty airplane. | 
| Smae aircraft from another angle. This airplane was the subject of an article when it came out of restoration and appeared at Oshkosh in 2002. Read more here: http://www.avweb.com/news/airventure/184746-1.html |
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